Tottenham loanee Yang Min-hyeok is beginning to showing his qualities at Portsmouth after a slow start
It’s been quite a week for Tottenham Hotspur loanee Yang Min-hyeok in the Championship. Under the lights at Fratton Park, the winger stole the limelight by scoring the winner for Portsmouth against promotion-chasers Middlesbrough.
The South Korean international moved from K-League side Gangwon FC to join Tottenham in January and instantly went on loan to Championship side Queens Park Rangers, where he scored twice in 14 games during the second half of last season. The Lilywhites decided to loan him out to Portsmouth in the summer, and after a slow start to life on the south coast, Yang Min-hyeok is starting to show his true qualities.
The teenager was the difference-maker against Middlesbrough. He arrived at full speed from the left channel and met a cross from the right by Jordan Williams, purely striking on half-volley in the 23rd minute to win it for Portsmouth. Before the win over Boro, he scored in the 1-1 draw with Watford last week. After finding his feet, Yang has started three consecutive games for Pompey.
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho was full of admiration for Yang after the Boro win, highlighting the Spurs loanee’s growing importance in the team of late.
Alasdair Gold believes Yang is finally showing his talent at Portsmouth after a slow start
It often takes youngsters so time to adapt to the demands of a new environment, and Yang’s start to life at Portsmouth was no different. After playing 23 minutes on his Portsmouth debut, the winger did not feature in the next five Championship games. It was frustrating for the Asian teenager to warn the benches for weeks, as well as for Tottenham to see their loanee continually get ignored by the Pompey boss.
However, last month’s Ipswich Town game marked Yang’s first league start in a blue and since then he has not looked back. He has easily been amongst the best players in Mousinho’s side in recent games, adding directness, pace and energy to the attack.
Reliable journalist Alasdair Gold is delighted to see Yang finally getting his opportunities in the Championship. He feels the youngster, after being ignored by the manager completely initially, is now starting to show his qualities and influence games for Portsmouth.
“Yang Min-hyeok, he’s on fire. Not literally in his football. He has got back-to-back very nice goals as well. This time he scored the winner as Portsmouth beat Middlesbrough on Saturday,” Alasdair Gold said on his YouTube channel.
“Lovely shot on the run that the keeper couldn’t keep out. So really good. Now he obviously got the half volley against Watford in midweek. Feels like he’s starting to get a bit of a head of steam now, which is great.”
Yang becoming a key player for Portsmouth
After a tough start to the season, Yang’s trajectory is changing. From being an unused substitute in many games to starting the last three league fixtures, the South Korean is now a key figure in a resurgent Pompey side climbing the Championship table.
Portsmouth fans will be happy to see they’ve found a difference-maker in the final third in the form of the 19-year-old. The Tottenham bosses must now also be delighted to see Yang getting minutes and recognition in the Championship.